Blood plasma sale: NHRC seeks reply from Odisha Health secretary

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought clarification from the Odisha Health secretary on the sale of blood plasma to a private company by the Cuttack Red Cross Blood Bank within four weeks.

Bags containing blood plasma

The directive of the Commission came in response to a petition filed by human rights activist Akhand.

The petitioner had said that the authorities of the Cuttack Red Cross Blood Bank had sold 200 units of blood plasma to the Reliance Life Sciences Pvt Ltd on April 30 this year.

Stating that the Health and Family Welfare Department had not given permission for sale of blood plasma, the petitioner asked how far were the Blood Bank authorities justified in selling plasma to a private company when the common man was unable to avail it.

The Commission, after having a preliminary hearing, issued the notice to the Health secretary, Odisha.